Red Cross Donor Recruiter Helen Carroll said there is always a critical need for blood throughout the Christmas season.

With regular donors out-of-town, along with area schools and companies closed during a holiday break, the amount of supply for hospitals and other medical facilities drastically decreases.

To help alleviate this problem, the local Fire Department, Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and State Troopers have all joined together in sponsoring the Badges for Life Blood Drive.

Badges for Life is an event usually held twice a year, with the other drive taking place around Independence Day.

This time around, Carroll says, the drive will be held on two days so city employees from each shift can have a chance to donate blood.

The first drive is scheduled for Dec. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by another one on Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Both of these will take place at the Red Cross office, located at 812 Selma Avenue next to the Dallas Academy Building.

Carroll said the drive is not strictly for those who wear a badge and anyone can stop by to donate.

There will also be Christmas cards donors can sign stating that they gave blood in honor of someone.

Those interested giving blood need to be at least 17-years-old and weight over 110 pounds.

They should also be in good health and have not donated blood in the past 56 days.

If this drive is successful, Carroll said, then there is a good chance area hospitals will be well-stocked with extra blood supplies for all those unexpected emergencies.